Best Booking Engines for Hotels in 2025: Comparison, Pros & Real-World Use Cases

Add to that the challenges of clunky legacy systems, weak mobile performance, and poor integrations, and it’s no surprise that hoteliers often feel their technology is working against them.

The right booking engine can change that. It can simplify the guest journey, increase revenue, and increase direct bookings while reducing OTA dependence, unlock upselling opportunities, and keep sensitive data secure.

In this article, we’ll explain what makes a booking engine effective in 2025, walk through the top solutions on the market, and show you which platforms work best for different types of hotels. We’ll also share where the hospitality industry is heading and what features you should expect in the near future.

Key takeaways

• Mews – Best for automation and seamless PMS integration.
• Hotelchamp – Best for branding and personalized booking flows.
• SiteMinder – Best for global distribution and direct booking growth.
• Cloudbeds – Best all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized hotels.
• Cendyn (Pegasus CRS) – Best for enterprise chains and loyalty integration.
• CodexEco – Best for affordable PMS + booking engine in one.
• Makent Hotels – Best AI-powered engine for personalized guest experiences.
• ThinkReservations – Best for boutique hotels, inns, and B&Bs.
• roommaster – Best proven all-in-one option for independents and small groups.
• HotelRunner – Best scalable platform with strong OTA connectivity.

We’ve created this guide for hotel owners, managers, and consultants who want to cut OTA costs, boost direct bookings, and give guests a smoother, more secure booking experience. Let’s go!

What Makes a Booking Engine the Best?

An online booking engine for hotels is only as good as the experience it delivers. The best solutions balance simplicity in the reservation process, speed, and reliability. It also must support the hotel’s wider technology ecosystem and build guest loyalty.

Let’s take a closer look at the features that help to find this balance.

Seamless booking experience

Guests expect booking a room to feel as simple as shopping online. That means:

• quick search and filtering;
• easy date selection;
• a smooth checkout in just a few steps.

If the process feels slow or confusing, many guests will abandon it. To be more precise, over 80% of online travel bookings are abandoned if the process is too long or complicated.

Mobile responsiveness is non-negotiable, too. Last-minute reservations increasingly come from smartphones and may involve online payments.

Personalization and branding

Your booking engine should feel like a natural extension of your hotel’s website. Customization options like logos, colors, rich imagery, even branded confirmation emails help maintain consistency and trust for potential guests. Personal touches, like local travel tips or extended stay discounts in confirmation emails that cater to guest preferences, reinforce your brand identity.

Multi-language and multi-currency support

International travelers expect to book in multiple languages and their own currency. The best booking engines adapt automatically, from search to confirmation emails. They remove all the barriers to conversion and encourage guests to book direct.

Automation for efficiency

Automation helps hotels save time and reduce manual work. Of course, Artificial Intelligence plays a crucial role here. A modern booking engine should:

• leverage AI and LLM capabilities;
• send automatic confirmation and reminder emails;
• sync availability in real time across all channels;
• update rates dynamically based on demand;
• trigger upsell offers at the right stage of the booking.

When software handles repetitive tasks automatically, staff can focus on guest experience instead of backend processes.

Upselling, promotions, and partner rates

The best online booking engine is also a revenue tool. Built-in features should let you offer a promo code, create special packages, and upsell services like tours or late checkout. Hotels that use upselling strategies effectively can see up to 20% increases in average booking value and help maximize revenue.

Compatibility with your tech stack

The engine must connect smoothly with your Property Management System (PMS), Channel Manager, CRM, and other tools. Real-time integration prevents double bookings, pricing errors, and manual work.

Payment gateway integrations

Guests need to feel secure and confident when paying online. The top booking engine for hotels integrates trusted payment gateways, keeps the process on your site (not a redirect), and complies with standards like PCI DSS. A seamless payment flow builds trust and improves conversions, paving the way for commission-free bookings.

Distribution channel connections

Accuracy across all channels, including your website, OTAs, metasearch platforms, and even social media, is key. Direct connections or integration through a Channel Manager ensure your inventory and pricing are always up to date.

Analytics and reporting

Data is your most valuable asset, so every piece of software must treat it accordingly. Proper analytics is essential for revenue and marketing strategies.

Engines that connect to analytics tools like Google Analytics give you visibility into guest behavior, abandoned bookings, and conversion trends. Clear reporting helps optimize pricing, marketing campaigns, direct booking share, etc.

Reliability and security

The best booking engine for hotels should work 24/7 without downtime. Look for providers that guarantee:

• HTTPS security;
• strong authentication;
• strong security controls;
• compliance with local and international standards.

Also, responsive technical support is critical. Any outage means lost revenue.

Top 10 Best Booking Engines for Hotels

For hotel leaders, the right booking engine means reducing dependence on OTAs, offering a better guest experience, and ultimately leading to more bookings while making operations more efficient. Below, we highlight a list of hotel booking engines that we found to be the strongest. Let’s outline what they do well, where they might fall short, and how they address common hotel challenges.

1. Mews
2. Hotelchamp
3. SiteMinder
4. Cloudbeds
5. Cendyn (Pegasus CRS + Booking Engine)
6. CodexEco
7. Makent Hotels
8. ThinkReservations
9. roommaster
10. HotelRunner

Mews

Mews offers a booking engine that integrates seamlessly with its cloud-based PMS. It is designed with automation in mind, so this solution reduces manual tasks by syncing rates and availability in real time. Users can embed its widget-style booking engine directly into your hotel website, maintaining a consistent guest experience.

Key features

• Embedded booking widget for a seamless website experience.
• Real-time rate and availability updates.
• Mobile-first design for last-minute bookings.
• Integrated upselling options for add-ons and services.
• Multi-language and multi-currency support.

Strengths

• Tight integration with PMS and channel managers prevents double bookings.
• Automation reduces reliance on manual updates and staff training.
• Guest-friendly interface supports higher conversions

Pitfalls

Mews booking engine works best for hotels already using Mews PMS. It may also feel overpowered for very small properties

Special opportunities: This option is ideal for hotels looking to simplify their tech stack with a single provider covering PMS, booking engine, payments, and integrations.

Hotelchamp

Hotelchamp focuses on direct bookings by creating a booking experience that looks and feels like your hotel’s website. Its engine supports strong branding, ensuring guests don’t feel redirected to a third-party page. Hotelchamp also provides personalization tools, tailoring the booking flow based on guest behavior.

Key features

• Customizable design elements (logos, fonts, images).
• Personalized offers and booking flows based on visitor behavior.
• Branded confirmation emails.
• Integrated A/B testing to optimize conversion.
• Simple dashboard for configuration and management.

Strengths

• Strong focus on branding and guest trust.
• Personalization increases direct booking conversion.
• Easy to use, minimal training needed.

Pitfalls

Hotelchamp has limited scalability for large hotel chains and a narrower feature set compared to broader platforms

Special opportunities: This option is perfect for boutique hotels, serviced apartments, and independents aiming to reduce dependence on third-party booking sites, improve guest relationships through direct bookings, and facilitate group bookings and vacation rentals.

SiteMinder

SiteMinder is one of the most widely used booking and distribution platforms in the industry. Its booking engine connects directly with its powerful channel manager, ensuring accurate rates and availability across all sales channels. It’s designed to maximize direct revenue while keeping operations efficient.

Key features

• Integrated booking engine + channel manager.
• Real-time rate and availability synchronization across OTAs.
• Channel manager connecting to 450+ OTAs and distribution platforms.
• Branded booking pages and confirmation emails.
• Secure payment gateway integration.
• Advanced reporting and analytics.
• Multi-language and multi-currency support.

Strengths

• Trusted globally by thousands of hotels.
• Seamless PMS, channel, and payment integrations.
• Robust analytics support data-driven pricing and marketing decisions.
• Scales easily from independents to enterprises.
• Reduces OTA dependency by boosting direct bookings

Pitfalls

SiteMinder’s setup may be too complex for smaller hotels with limited staff. Also, support response varies by region.

Special opportunities: Best suited for medium to large hotels with international audiences that want to expand distribution and grow direct booking share.

Cloudbeds

Cloudbeds is known as an all-in-one hospitality platform. Its booking engine integrates smoothly with the PMS and channel manager, making it a popular choice for small and mid-sized hotels looking to simplify operations.

Key features

• Branded, mobile-optimized booking engine.
• Real-time syncing across OTAs and the website.
• Integrated payment gateway with PCI DSS compliance.
• Multi-language and multi-currency support.
• Upselling tools for add-ons and packages.

Strengths

• Easy to set up and use for smaller teams.
• Reduces OTA dependence with direct booking tools.
• Trusted platform with a large global customer base.

Pitfalls

Advanced automation and reporting may feel limited compared to enterprise systems. May have limited functionality for large chains.

Special opportunities: Cloudbeds is a great option for small and boutique hotels that want to replace multiple legacy systems with a single, cloud-based platform.

Cendyn (Pegasus CRS + Booking Engine)

Cendyn is built for large hotel groups and luxury chains that need enterprise-grade distribution, personalization, and guest engagement tools. Its Pegasus CRS (Central Reservation System) integrates a customizable booking engine with advanced revenue and loyalty features.

Key features

• Fully branded booking engine with multilingual and multi-currency support.
• Centralized rate and inventory management across multiple properties.
• Advanced personalization for offers and booking flows.
• Integrated payment gateway with global compliance standards.
• Loyalty program integration for repeat guests.
• Enterprise-level reporting and analytics.

Strengths

• Designed for scalability across hundreds of properties.
• Deep personalization tools improve direct booking performance.
• Integrates with PMS, CRM, and global distribution systems (GDS).
• Strong security and compliance support.

Pitfalls

Cendyn is built for large chains, so it has a higher cost than mid-market engines like Cloudbeds or HotelRunner. It also requires professional onboarding and training

Special opportunities: This booking engine is best suited for chains, resorts, and large independent groups that need consistency in branding, powerful distribution, and advanced loyalty features across multiple markets.

CodexEco

CodexEco is an all-in-one hotel booking system with tools for reservations, property management, and guest engagement. Unlike basic booking scripts, it’s designed to serve as both a booking engine and a lightweight PMS, making it appealing to independent hotels and small chains.

Key features

• Direct booking engine with customizable design.
• Room and rate management dashboard.
• Multi-currency and multi-language support.
• Integrated payment processing.
• Channel manager to sync with OTAs.
• Guest management features (profiles, history, communication).

Strengths

• Offers a combination of PMS + booking engine in one platform.
• Customizable booking flow to fit hotel branding.
• Helps reduce OTA reliance with built-in direct booking tools.

Pitfalls

CodexEco is less widely adopted than global players like SiteMinder or Cloudbeds. Therefore, it has limited public reviews and case studies compared to established providers. Also, advanced analytics and automation may not match enterprise-level systems

Special opportunities: CodexEco can be a good fit for small to mid-sized hotels that want an affordable, integrated solution covering both property management and direct bookings without needing multiple systems.

Makent Hotels

Makent Hotels, developed by Trioangle, is a booking script designed to help hotels and entrepreneurs launch their own customizable booking platform. What makes it unique is its integration of AI-driven features. They enhance guest experience, cater to guest preferences, help with promotional codes, and streamline the booking journey.

Key features

• An AI virtual assistant that guides guests through the booking flow, answers questions instantly, and reduces hotel staff workload through live chat.
• AI-driven personalization that tailors search results, recommendations, and promotions based on user behavior. Extends personalization to push alerts, SMS, and email campaigns.
• AI-fueled automated search that refines listings dynamically by analyzing previous search patterns, ensuring guests see the most relevant rooms and packages.
• Multi-currency and multi-language support for international travelers.
• Secure payment integrations (Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, etc.).
• Admin panel with full control over bookings, users, and rates.

Strengths

• Highly customizable self-hosted platform.
• AI tools improve conversion rates and guest satisfaction.
• Suitable for hybrid models (hotels + rentals).
• One-time license model without recurring SaaS fees.

Pitfalls

Makent Hotels requires developer support for setup and ongoing maintenance. It also lacks deep PMS and channel manager integrations compared to SaaS providers like Cloudbeds or SiteMinder. This solution has limited global adoption.

Special opportunities: Makent Hotels is best for hotels of different scales that want to differentiate through personalized booking experiences. Its AI-powered search and messaging features can help smaller hotels compete with OTAs by enhancing the booking journey and allowing guests to stay engaged while encouraging direct bookings.

ThinkReservations

ThinkReservations is a popular all-in-one property management system and booking engine software designed specifically for boutique hotels, inns, and B&Bs. It focuses on making direct bookings easier, while also giving operators the tools to manage online reservations, payments, and day-to-day business tasks in one platform.

Key features

• Branded, mobile-friendly booking engine that integrates seamlessly with hotel websites.
• Real-time availability and rate management.
• PCI-compliant integrated payment processing.
• Channel manager to sync inventory with OTAs.
• Business tools such as invoicing, gift certificates, and package management.
• Reporting and analytics for revenue, occupancy, and performance trends.
• Customer support and onboarding tailored for independent properties.

Strengths

• Intuitive, easy-to-use interface designed for small teams.
• Strong customer service and training resources.
• All features to enhance direct bookings.
• Helps reduce OTA dependence by driving direct bookings.
• Extra revenue opportunities through gift certificates and packages.

Pitfalls

ThinkReservations is primarily focused on small to mid-sized properties; it is less suited for large hotel groups. It also has a limited global presence compared to platforms like SiteMinder or Cloudbeds

Special opportunities: ThinkReservations is an excellent choice for independent hotels, boutique inns, and B&Bs that want a reliable, simple-to-use booking engine with the added advantage of PMS and business management tools built in.

roommaster

The roommaster hotel booking engine is part of InnQuest’s long-standing PMS ecosystem. It’s designed to help hotels, inns, and resorts capture more direct reservations while reducing reliance on OTAs. It bridges the gap between front-desk operations and online guest experience with its branded booking flow and real-time synchronization.

Key features

• Fully branded booking pages that embed into your website and drive direct bookings.
• Real-time room availability, rate, and booking abandonment updates connected to the PMS.
• Secure payment processing with PCI compliance.
• Mobile-optimized design for last-minute and on-the-go bookings.
• Multi-language and multi-currency support to attract international guests.
• Upselling tools for add-ons like packages, tours, or extras.
• User-friendly interface.
• Integration with OTAs via the channel manager.
• Reporting tools to track booking patterns and conversion performance.

Strengths

• Combines booking engine + PMS in one system, reducing the need for multiple vendors.
• Affordable compared to enterprise-level providers.
• Reliable, with decades of industry presence and adoption.
• Flexible enough for independents but still scalable for small hotel groups.

Pitfalls

roommaster’s interface is functional but less modern than newer SaaS competitors. Pay attention that some advanced integrations may require additional setup or third-party support. This option may not be enough for large, complex enterprise chains

Special opportunities: roommaster is ideal for independent hotels and resorts that want a trusted, affordable, and easy-to-manage booking solution with built-in PMS functionality. For properties that need stability and direct booking growth without enterprise overhead, it’s a proven option.

HotelRunner

HotelRunner is an all-in-one sales, distribution, and booking management platform serving accommodation providers of all sizes, from small independents to large hospitality groups. Its booking engine is tightly integrated with a powerful channel manager, helping properties expand visibility across OTAs while still capturing branded direct bookings.

Key features

• Customizable booking engine embedded into hotel websites.
• 150+ OTA integrations through its channel manager.
• Multi-language and multi-currency support for global guests.
• Secure payment gateway integrations (Stripe, PayPal, etc.).
• Upselling and promotions tools to increase average booking value.
• Reporting and analytics dashboard for occupancy, revenue, and performance insights.
• Marketplace apps for extended functionality (loyalty, automation, marketing).

Strengths

• Flexible enough for both small properties and enterprises.
• Affordable and scalable pricing model.
• Strong global distribution network with broad OTA connectivity.
• Flexible payment options and dynamic pricing.
• Branded, guest-friendly booking flow encourages direct reservations.

Pitfalls

HotelRunner’s reporting and analytics are less advanced than specialized revenue management systems. Its setup and configuration may take time for smaller teams. Also, in this case, its market presence is stronger in EMEA and APAC than in North America.

Special opportunities: HotelRunner is a great fit for hospitality businesses that want to grow online sales, reduce OTA costs, and strengthen direct bookings. With its marketplace of add-ons, it also appeals to enterprises that need modular scalability without replacing their core systems.

Which Booking Engine is Best for Your Hotel?

Hotels come in all shapes and sizes, and so do their technology needs. From our experience, a boutique inn may only need a simple branded booking flow, while a global chain requires enterprise-level distribution and loyalty features.

To make the choice easier for you, we’ve created this brief hotel booking engine comparison based on how they align with different hotel types.

1. Small properties and independents

Smaller hotels, inns, and B&Bs often work with limited staff and budgets. Their booking engines should be simple, reliable, and easy to brand without a heavy setup. So, from our perspective, the best options here are:

• Hotelchamp for boutique hotels focused on branding and personalization.
• ThinkReservations for inns and B&Bs that need PMS + booking engine with strong support.

roommaster for independent resorts and small groups that want stability and affordability.

2. Mid-sized hotels and regional chains

As we’ve seen in our practice, these properties need more automation and integration. So they need a booking engine that connects seamlessly with PMS and OTAs, helps reduce manual work, and, what is no less important, boosts direct bookings to stay competitive .

Therefore, we recommend these options here:

• Cloudbeds for boutique and mid-sized hotels.
• SiteMinder for independents to larger hotels.
• CodexEco for small chains looking for an integrated solution.

HotelRunner for both small groups and regional chains.

3. Large hotels and enterprise groups

Chains, luxury brands, and multi-property groups have more processes to manage. So, they need enterprise-grade tools with centralized management, compliance, and loyalty features. From our point of view, the following options can be best-suited for them:

• Cendyn (Pegasus CRS) for chains and high-end brands.
• Mews for groups streamlining operations.

Makent Hotels for tech-savvy hotels experimenting with personalized booking flows.

Find the Right Booking Engine or Build One with Us

Every hotel has its own story. The right booking engine helps you tell it better. A proper solution brings in more direct bookings, lowers OTA costs, and gives your guests a smoother way to reserve a stay.

We know the choices can feel endless. That’s where we come in. We’re here to make the process simple, safe, and tailored to you.

Our team has deep expertise in hospitality IT, helping hotels of all sizes select, integrate, and optimize booking engines that truly fit their needs. We’ll help you pick the booking engine that fits your property best. Or build a custom one if that’s what you need.

And because trust is everything in this industry, our certified security specialists make sure your data and your guests’ data are always protected. Your guests’ trust and your reputation are safe with us.

Wrapping Up: Hotel Booking Engine Trends

The best hotel booking engine you choose will shape how your guests discover, book, and remember their stay. Whether you’re running a cozy inn or a global chain, the right system reduces friction, builds trust, and helps your team focus less on manual tasks and more on hospitality.

Looking ahead, booking engines will keep evolving. Here are the developments hotels can expect in the near future.

Smarter personalization

AI will move beyond recommending room types. Booking engines will learn from guest history and behavior to offer dynamic packages, targeted upsells, and tailored messaging.

A returning guest might see their favorite room pre-selected, while a family could be shown bundled breakfast and local attractions. This level of personalization builds loyalty and boosts conversion rates.

Deeper integrations

The booking engine of tomorrow will connect seamlessly with revenue management systems, CRMs, and marketing automation tools. Hotels will gain a single view of their guests, enabling more accurate pricing, better forecasting, and more effective campaigns without manual data entry.

Contactless check-in

Engines will extend into arrivals with links to mobile keys, digital registration, and automated payments. Guests will move from booking to their room without standing in line. Contactless hotel check-in will help staff focus on personal touches instead of paperwork.

Voice and chatbot booking

Travelers are already using smart speakers and messaging apps to plan trips. Soon, booking engines will integrate with voice assistants and chatbots, making it possible to say, “Book me a double room this Friday” and complete the reservation instantly. This lowers barriers and makes booking feel as natural as a conversation.

Stronger security and compliance

With rising cyber threats and stricter regulations, booking engines will continue to strengthen protections. Expect advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, and continuous compliance monitoring. Safeguarding guest data will be just as critical as providing a comfortable room – ensuring trust and reputation remain intact.

What this means for hoteliers

For hotels, these changes mean less time wrestling with outdated systems and more time focusing on creating memorable stays. The booking engine will become the digital front door of your property that shapes the guest journey from the first click to check-out.

Stay ahead of these trends, and it will help you win more direct bookings, protect guest trust, and deliver the seamless experiences modern travelers expect.

FAQ

1. What system do hotels use for booking?

   Hotels use a booking engine linked to their own website, travel agents, and social media channels, usually integrated with a Property Management System (PMS). Larger chains often add a Central Reservation System (CRS), while smaller properties rely on simpler PMS + booking engine setups.

   What is the best booking engine for hotels? In both cases, it helps get rid of dependency on the online travel agency and manage multiple rooms' bookings more effectively.

2. How do I choose the best booking engine for my hotel’s size and type?

   Match the engine to your scale. Small hotels need simple tools with mobile optimization, branding, and support.

   Mid-sized properties benefit from all-in-one systems that include PMS and channel management. Large groups should focus on enterprise platforms with centralized control and loyalty features.

3. What features should I prioritize in a booking engine in 2025?

   Hotel tech report describes the following: mobile-first design, AI-driven personalization, and automation are essential in hotel operations.

   Contactless check-in is increasingly expected, linking reservations to mobile keys, room upgrades, and digital registration. Seamlessly integrated strong security, compliance, and clear analytics remain must-haves.